BBC’s Emily Maitlis tries to trip up John Cleese about his decision to leave UK on account of the ghastly lies and trivia in the press. Hard to believe, I know. But at least he has a bolt hole in the Caribbean.

On the subject of Trump’s disgraceful bullying attack on NATO I would like to make the following points:-

I am unaware of NATO dictating to the US that they spend obscene amounts on armaments to the detriment of the welfare of their population.

Anybody who follows the multiplicity of military documentaries on Cable & Satellite is made aware on a daily basis of the near orgasmic enthusiasm of The US to spend countless billions on ever more sophisticated means of killing people.

Their constant glorification of war and their latest means of sluaghtering people makes me sick.

In Trump’s crazy mind it would appear that just because The US spends obscene amounyts on arms so should the rest of NATO.

NATO has always been a toolof US foreign policy and the sooner The US is kicked out and the hand of friendship held out to Russia the better.

Anybody who thinks that Putin wants to invade the West is nuts – all the confrontation and provocation is coming from NATO dancing to The Pentagon’s tune.

I would like to see Angel Merkel at the post conference photo shoot walk up to Trump and knee him in the nuts.

If The US cut back on their ‘Defence’spending their economy would collapse like a pack of cards. – IKE was right about The Military Industrial Complex.

1 When the Governor General is appointed to meet the US President rather than our First Minister who I am sure would give him a few lessons on progressive politics and our surplus of energy supplies … unlike Germany we even export the stuff (Lol)!

2. Ben Ben refurbishment, part of the £8 billion we are paying towards, will be decorated with St George’s Crosses only…. perhaps they know it will return to being the English Parliament in a few years time.

A wee nation of just over 4 million souls is taking on the might of the English Empire and their £1.7 million a year Gary Linekar and the English BC Team of Pundits
The wee Croats have no chance because football just has to come home to unite the battle scarred Mother Country in these difficult self inflicted wounded times, so says The Waistcoat.
Luca is too old, it’s England’s turn.
The past few weeks have been akin to the neighbours going off on holiday and leaving their teenage sons an ’empty’.
The raucous boozy anti social behaviour of our neighbours to the South just goes on and on and on. When will it ever end? hopefully, tonight. More ‘high spirits’ terrifying shop workers and destroying ambulances?
If anyone is in any doubt that,to the media, politicians, sports personalities and royalty, ‘the nation’ means ‘England, you’ve not been watching TV,
or listening to the radio, or reading the Daily Blahs.
The RAF Fly past yesterday, which reminded me of the Old USSR’s military shows of strength in Red Square, may be repeated if, God Help Us All, the Blue Tories win the World Cup.
Bread and Circus for the masses gathering in the Circus Maximus.
Roll on 9 o’clock tonight so we can all get a good night’s kip.
England; they are truly the Tribe That Lost Its Head.

It’s obviously nonsense, a quick check at the MP’s expenses site proves it is. Also difficult to compare as there is set up and wind up costs for all the MP’s that gained/lost seat.

If it is really an SNP branch tweeting this then they should make sure their figures are at least believable. Anyone who thinks you can travel from the north of Scotland and rent accommodation in London for a year for £2,500 is lacking some perspective.

“Anybody who thinks that Putin wants to invade the West is nuts …”
Why? He’s a Russian, I believe and surely experience shows that *The only Good Russian is a Dead Russian* or so we were brought up to believe. Are you all too young to remember Czechoslovakia etc.? Leopards, spots etc. ??

“I would like to see Angel Merkel at the post conference photo shoot walk up to Trump and knee him in the nuts.”
Well maybe we should have supported the Third Reich rather than the Yanks? Did we really win WWII? If so why does Germany even exist? What was the point of fighting and winning if the enemy lives to fight another day. I wonder if Germany is the real reason why many older folk are wary of the EU?

[Forgive me, but I needed to let my irrational inner voice out for a moment … phew!]

Trump wants to spend less on Military. So tries to make others spend more.

It is shared Defence costs that saves the EU members funds. EU membership is worth it for the shared Defence costs, alone. Ie to stop starvation and war in Europe. That is what the EU does. Westminster starts illegal wars, starves people and causes migration, Along with the US and France.

Trump just needs to spend less and leave the rest of the world in peace. Instead of US administrations conducting illegal wars in the rest of the world. Particularly in the Middle East. Supporting and funding apartheid States and absolute despot monarchy warmongerers. The biggest warmongers in the world. Causing mass migration and killing and maiming millions of people. Trump knows the score the US spending too much in the Military. It can’t afford. $Trns in debt. The most (pro rata) in the world.

If England got to a UNIVERSE cup final, playing for the immortal souls of all humanity against an XI put together by SATAN himself consisting of all the worlds worst mass murderers, serial killers, bankers – all endowed with superpowers like MARVEL heroes

– I would be hoping for a DRAW.

A high scoring draw in which everyone dies through injury and heat exhaustion.

Should England actually win this, then it should be the time to call UDI – before the trophy has been presented and while the entire country is still pissed.

We should also buy from the russians some of those powerful ECM systems they deployed in syria – no more BBC, ITV, radio (no more mobile phones or wifi either)

Requests have been coming in to SNP headquarters in ever increasing numbers for SNP Tablet
The SNP are looking in to a manufacuring company to produce the tablet in the quantities desired
These requests have been coming in from as far away as Russia America Canada and the EU
A name has still to be chosen for the new brand of tablet so in the SNP tradition of democracy a peoples choice online questionaire will be launched to choose a name
Guidelines are it should include the SNP logo and a traditional Scottish theme such as a Saltire
Scottish School children will be tasked with the design of the new Scottish tablet

Jackson Carlaw of the Conservatives this is another SNP vanity project doomed to failure like the Baby Box and there can be no sugar coating it
Willie Rennie Liberal Democrat said the SNP should be concentrating on childrens dentistry
Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said *It’s lovely tablet*

‘The world spent $1.686trillion on arms in 2016 a 0.4% increase on 2015.

The US (320million pop) remained top of the military spending league last year $611Billion. (GDP 3.1%). 36% of the global total and over three times more than the amount of second placed China.’ (1.2Billion pop).

Apologies for bringing up the footie. Watching the Engerland game at the locoal hostelry (I do not pay for propaganda). Have just watched a very close fought first half and endured a supremist commentary with a bit of ineptitude on the part of the referee. What took the biscuit was the first comment by the “objective” panel at half time “It should be more”. What arrogant piffle – and they wonder why nobody likes them! I am half english myself but God I hope they lose and, if they progress, that the French take them apart in the final. What an obnoxious shower.

Saudi Arabia includes internal law and order spend? Pro rata highest in the world,

Germany and Japan were prevented from re arming after 11WW. Their economies benefited. There was great concerns about re armourment after 11WW. In order prevent another world war.

Poland was given over to Russia dominance by the Allies at Yalta settlement. Russia and US proceeded to spend too much on Defence. It was bankrupting both countries. It led to arms reduction Treaties. 1970-80’s. 1990’s. German reunification. Glasnost/Perestroika. Gorbochev, Yeltsin, Putin. 150Million people gained self determination, democracy and freedom. The highest number in the world? Russia (USSR) pop halved. 300Million (on par with the US). Now 150Million.

Orange Lodge breaks UK Law in NI. With impunity. For unionist votes in Westminster. They have been breaking the Law since 1923. Ireland was illegally Partitioned by Westminster. Lloyd George. A Liberal. The Irish wanted Home Rule/Independence. Universal Suffrage 1928. The carry on in NI is a disgrace. Ruining their economy. Subsidised by £Billions. The cost the ‘Troubles’. Breaking UK Law. Discrimination and bigotry. Stepping back in time. Unbelievable. The flag waving and provocation. 12th July. Bigotry. Shooting up houses on estates that refuse to comply.

Commiserations to all those English Yessrs supporting their team
I’m on the Pacific coast at a roadside diner. The place erupted when Croatia scored in extra time.
Sorry guys.
Sympathy for Gareth Southgate who seems like a good guy.

Post match commentators now alleging England should have had game wrapped up by half time. If they would put their assumed superiority and bias aside for long enough to look at the match stats they would realise that Croatia had by far the best of the game and should have won by more. Just as a reminder for them – Croatia(pop 4.2million) 2 England(pop 54 million) 1 – need I say more.

We know what’s coming home and it’s the English football team minus the football world cup.

I suppose one could make parallels between the Brexit Campaign, courtesy of the media, and your ordinary Joe Brexiteer and the English World cup football campaign, courtesy of the media, and your fanatic English football fan.

High expectations were promised leading to huge disappointment when reality bites …..both were/are overrated and doomed to fail…..one down and the other one still to go……..must be shit being an English fanatical Brexiteer football fan just now….believing everything that you read and hear in the media is true.

Not gloating…much… just living in reality….unlike all of the above.

ps. Someone send Ross Thompson a condolence card…he was rooting for England in a tweet….funnily enough there is another parallel with him and the above…clue…overrated, courtesy of the media, and come next election doomed to fail….

Living in Yorkshire England (temporarily). Since the fitba’ started it has been a jingoistic nightmare of St. George’s crosses everywhere which have replaced the usual Union Jacks everywhere. When I go to Hell this is what it will be like. Glad the fitba’ is over and maybe the flags will disappear. Fat chance.

Hard Luck England. You did really well to reach the semis. I wished you well but have to concede that Croatia were the better team. You played well, but crucially failed to take your chances and made some defensive clangers that resulted in the goals.

Croatia were the first quality team you had to face in the tournament. Croatia still have to face a real quality team. They will on Saturday. 🙂

Sorry for you, of course, being in a foreign land and all that, but that’s exactly what we want. English people being proud of their own heritage and not hiding behind a fake “unity” flag that they don’t really believe in either.

This is what it will be like down there after indy. Better get used to it.* At least we will be spared all the media triumphalism whenever they do well.

The World’s first authenticated and documented football club came from the Stockbridge area in Edinburgh and played their games on the Meedies, (Medows), in the Capital.

The first properly regulated and used rules of the Game were Queen’s Park in Glasgow and the English Football Association copied them. If football was to come home it would be to Scotland but Scotland, as is our wont, gave the game of football, just as it did golf, to the World.

Like Capella @ 22:42, I’m just feeling relieved, for the reason given.

When we’re independent, and have our own broadcasters and our own distinct coverage, I can imagine that if we ourselves are not involved, many more of us might be willing to give our southern cousins support, especially when they play with flair and are led by a decent bloke like Southgate.

Not sure anyone can really claim the origins of football, Europe has numerous examples of Kings banning football throughout the middle ages because it was interfering with military practice for the men folk.

There are even accounts of Roman soldiers grotesquely using the heads of enemies in football matches.

However I did see many years ago what was claimed to be the first depiction of a football game with eleven players a side, goals and referee and I believe from memory it was an 18th century painting in Edinburgh.

The lack of, or at least late participation in, the beautiful game by the ex colonial regions of the English Empire, India, Pakistan, Southern Africa, Australasia, Canada and America would perhaps suggest that they were rather more keen on imparting the English sports of cricket and rugby or variants thereof than football.

@Bobp: how true. My elder brother and his pals were of what I call the Dambusters’ generation: they exulted in irrelevant football defeats of England but loathed the SNP. My bro even vowed to come home to vote against “a Scottish republic” but in the end couldn’t be arsed.

Football’s a game I love but I have long since given up on our national game owing to the governance of the unionist Blazers (McLeish et al.) and merely seek consolation in following my Premiership diddy team: no hope but no dishonour either.

@Bobp who said:
“Ben madigan 8.48pm wonder how many irish tricolours, effigys, of catholics ,europeans, etc will be burned on the bonfires of these pond life”

Sickening isn’t it Bobp?
There appears to be no definite figures on how many bonfires there are every year. We know flags of other countries are burnt, together with effigies and pictures of individuals who are democratically elected at the ballot box but who do not agree withthe extremist Orange order/unionist/Loyalist ideas.

Other posts on my site over the years have dissected the sociological and economical impact as well as the “hate” impact of burning effigies. Too many to list here today.

The Orange Order tests my tolerance to its limits. For the good of our societies in Scotland and in Northern ireland, I honestly believe they and their marches and bonfires (which they say they are not involved in) should be relegated to isolated areas where they do not disturb anyone who does not support them and the damage they do to the general population/society is limited to the max

Not liking the guy is one thing, but doing THAT to him – that falls under “cruel and unusual” punishment.

Of course narcissistic egomaniacs NEVER remember calculated insults … so when the English have sold Scottish enterprise down the river to get their bilateral trade deal with the US – I am SURE Nicola will be able to get on the phone to Donald and say

“Donald, WTF man! – you let the english shaft us over the trade deal … ”

– she gets a one word answer

… MUNDELL …

Patrick Harvies touch of the vapours is peculiarly alarming and illuminating – like a toy chihuahua yelping furiously at a bemused mastiff – you wonder what will happen next? Eaten, perhaps. Maybe its just jealousy, for PH knows, in his entire life, he will never wield any real power over anything whatsoever and his MSP job and party leadership its just an “all shall have prizes” carry-on, like a medal for “bestest endeavouring towards improvement”.

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Mundell said the withdrawal bill would return powers to Scotland, it didn't, he said he'd amend the bill so it would, he didn't, he said the Lords would amend it so it would, they didn't, he said he would resign if NI got a bespoke deal, they did, he didn't.. #ScotRef /1